CBI 2015: Schedule, Live Stream and Bracket Predictions for Semifinals

Those who started their weeks with a March Madness hangover need not worry. The 2015 CBI tournament reaches the semifinal stage Wednesday, and the level of play is amping up considerably.

The 16 teams invited to the CBI were initially afterthoughts for the NCAA tournament, but the four left standing certainly haven't played like it. The lone major-conference school, Colorado, bit the dust in the quarterfinals, leaving four mid-majors vying for the de facto No. 3 postseason national championship behind the NCAA tournament and the NIT.

Even if the CBI resembles nothing more than a chance to build momentum for 2015-16, these four teams have much higher aspirations than that. And with an interesting best-of-three finals series upon us, the action will only get better.

Here's a complete look at what to know as well as predictions for Wednesday's semifinals.

Matchup	Date	Time (ET)	Watch
Vermont at UL Monroe	Wed., March 25	8 p.m.	-
Seattle at Loyola (Chicago)	Wed., March 25	8 p.m.	WatchESPN

The semifinal winners play in a best-of-three championship series on March 30, April 1 and April 3 (if necessary).

Live Stream: WatchESPN

CBI Bracket: Updated bracket is available at GazelleGroup.com.

Semifinal Previews and Predictions

Vermont at UL Monroe

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

The Vermont Catamounts tied for second place in the America East this season and look poised to build off one of the program's best seasons in recent memory with a trip to the CBI finals. But first, they'll have to travel to Louisiana and take down a surprise UL Monroe team.

Going on the road against a Mercer team that won an NCAA tournament game last year, the Warhawks didn't budge amid a 20-point second-half deficit. They stormed all the way back to win in shocking fashion, which forces Vermont to travel across the better part of the country for Wednesday's game.

But that's about all the Catamounts have going against them.

A stiff defensive team that can also score in bunches, Vermont boasts five players who average more than eight points per game. It is led by Ethan O'Day, the dominant 6'9" forward who averages 12.3 points per game and shoots over 57 percent from the field.

Spectacular athletic plays also separate Vermont from its opposition, as shown by its official Twitter:

The Catamounts may have a tough test on the road to deal with, but they are carrying the hopes of an entire fanbase that has a fervid desire to win this postseason, even in the CBI, according to ESPN Radio's A.J. Kanell:

UL Monroe's Fant-Ewing Coliseum figures to be rocking with a fanbase that didn't expect to get another game, but the Warhawks will be spent after putting everything into a comeback win over Mercer two days prior.

They're almost unbeatable when Tylor Ongwae is having his way with opponents, but Vermont boasts two All-Defensive Team players from the America East—including Dre Wills, who led the league in steals—to help nullify his impact.

Prediction: Vermont 71, UL Monroe 64

Seattle at Loyola (Chicago)

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

On the heels of two inspiring home victories to start CBI play, the Seattle Redhawks head to Illinois to face Chicago's Loyola Ramblers.

Like Seattle, Loyola has breezed to two opening wins at home, beating Rhode Island and Oral Roberts by a combined 21 points to get here. The Ramblers are one win away from the coveted championship series and are holding the hopes of an entire state, as told by the Missouri Valley Conference's Derrick Docket:

Continuing their postseason past Wednesday will be a tough test, however.

Seattle boasts one of the top scorers in the Western Athletic Conference in Isiah Umipig, who averages 17.3 points per game. Along with Jarell Flora (14.1 points per game), the Redhawks boast one of the best backcourts in the CBI field.

But it's no secret which of these teams steps up in big games. Seattle has just one win over an NCAA tournament team in New Mexico State, while Loyola faced Northern Iowa three times and Wichita State twice. The Ramblers also topped Boise State in nonconference play.

The Ramblers don't have the same type of star guard play, but they have five players who average over eight points per game—including double-digit scorers Milton Doyle and Christian Thomas. With a more balanced scoring arsenal and a more stout defense, Loyola will move on at home to the finals.

Prediction: Loyola 65, Seattle 62